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JOUR13-318: Freelance Feature Writing and Blogging

Description

In the current media landscape, a reporter who has original ideas, a fresh voice, and sharp insights can quickly develop a brand, a following, and a portfolio of published work. This subject teaches you how to write in a variety of formats (from listicles to in-depth features, travel narratives, opinion, reviews, and columns), as well as how to pitch work to digital, print (newspaper, magazine, zine etc), and multimedia publications, and how to set up a blog or portfolio platform of your own. The style and content of the writing are entirely up to you. You will be encouraged to mine your interests, contacts, and natural writing style for inspiration and credibility and to find suitable publication outlets for your work. The work of previous students has been published by Buzzfeed, The Guardian, Huffington Post, Women’s Health, News Corp, and Frankie Magazine. Also, you will also consider the business of freelance writing, including personal branding, establishing contacts, freelance writing rates, and tax and business structures.

Subject details

Type: Undergraduate Subject
Code: JOUR13-318
EFTSL: 0.125
Faculty: Faculty of Society and Design
Semesters offered:
  • May 2023 [Standard Offering]
  • May 2024 [Standard Offering]
Credit: 10
Study areas:
  • Communication, Film, and Creative Media
Subject fees:
  • Commencing in 2023: $4,050.00
  • Commencing in 2024: $4,260.00
  • Commencing in 2023: $5,400.00
  • Commencing in 2024: $5,730.00

Learning outcomes

  1. Conceptualise, research, structure and write original feature stories in a wide range of styles, formats and for a variety of publications.
  2. Select and utilise creative and innovative approaches to both story development and personal brand.
  3. Critically evaluate a range of feature writing within its social, historical, cultural and ethical/legal contexts.
  4. Demonstrate informed consideration of industry standards and trends and pitch work to potential freelance employers.
  5. Critically analyse and edit their own written work for clarity, originality, coherence and brevity, demonstrating sensitivity to publication conventions, industry trends and audience expectations.
  6. Consider written work within its visual and publication contexts and conceptualise, design and self-publish a blog.

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:

Nil

Assumed knowledge:

Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.

Restrictions:

Subject dates

  • Standard Offering
    Enrolment opens: 19/03/2023
    Semester start: 15/05/2023
    Subject start: 15/05/2023
    Cancellation 1: 29/05/2023
    Cancellation 2: 05/06/2023
    Last enrolment: 28/05/2023
    Withdraw - Financial: 10/06/2023
    Withdraw - Academic: 01/07/2023
    Teaching census: 09/06/2023
  • Standard Offering
    Enrolment opens: 17/03/2024
    Semester start: 13/05/2024
    Subject start: 13/05/2024
    Cancellation 1: 27/05/2024
    Cancellation 2: 03/06/2024
    Last enrolment: 26/05/2024
    Withdraw - Financial: 08/06/2024
    Withdraw - Academic: 29/06/2024
    Teaching census: 07/06/2024
Standard Offering
Enrolment opens: 19/03/2023
Semester start: 15/05/2023
Subject start: 15/05/2023
Cancellation 1: 29/05/2023
Cancellation 2: 05/06/2023
Last enrolment: 28/05/2023
Withdraw - Financial: 10/06/2023
Withdraw - Academic: 01/07/2023
Teaching census: 09/06/2023